A GRUELLING mountain marathon is set to be tackled by a hardy team of walkers, in memory of "a truly great man".

Tez Baxter and nine of his friends will be doing the fundraising challenge next Sunday, in memory of his late father Arthur.

Well-known Mr Baxter, 58, of Cleator Moor, died in October last year following a battle with secondary cancer.

His son Tez, 26, said: "Arthur influenced so many people's lives and is missed by all who knew him. Even though he has gone, he still continues to inspire us."

The Arthur Baxter Mountain Marathon will see the ten-strong team walk from Ennerdale Bridge to Seathwaite, Keswick across the fells via Scafell Pike. The walkers are set to cover ten Wainwrights: Red Pike, High Stile, High Crag, Haystacks, Brandreth, Green Gable, Great Gable, Scafell Pike, Allen Crags, Glaramara.

Joining Tez will be: Laurie Crayston, Callum Fraser, Nathan Grundill, Sam Pitt, Luke Higgins, Andrew Wilson, Seb Capner, Glyn Butler and Sean Rickerby

Tez says: "We are aiming to do it in under 15 hours. It's not going to be a walk in the park, so to speak."

Money raised will be given to Macmillan nurses and Cancer Research UK.

The group has raised over £2,200 so far including a donation of £1,000 from The Sellafield Contractors Charity Committee.

The time taken will be recorded and in future years groups of up to ten people will be challenged to beat the time, raising funds for the same charities.

Tez has paid tribute to his father, saying: "The world lost a truly great man, inspirational community figure and the kindest soul."

He said after completing an apprenticeship as an electrical engineer in Lancashire, his father moved near the Lake District. 

His career with Norweb, which is now Electricity North West Ltd, lasted over 40 years and he was heavily involved with the project to restore electricity to Wasdale in 2012 after residents had been on generators for ten months.

Tez said: "From 16 years old, Arthur was always involved with charities and community events in some capacity. After moving to Cleator Moor, he became Scout Leader of 2nd Cleator Moor Scouts. After many successful years with the Scouts, he moved onto the Cleator Moor Town Council where he was eventually chairman. In later years, he provided the PA System for events such as Remembrance Sunday in Castle Park."

He said his father is missed by all who knew him.